Ocean Acidification
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Provided by: MIT OpenCourseWare|Published on: November 30, 2022
Videos
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Synopsis
- This brief video lecture explains the chemistry behind the effects of ocean acidification on some marine organisms.
- The lecturer discusses the effects of increasing carbonic acid in the ocean from the increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the resulting dissolution of calcium carbonate shells.

Subjects: Chemistry, Biology
Authors: Professor Jeffrey Grossman
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource is a great example of how changing chemistry in nature can affect species and ecosystems.
- The lecturer walks students through the process while also explaining the reactions visually.
Additional Prerequisites
- The video is from a university lecture and some content may be copyrighted.
- Before watching the video, students should understand concepts like chemical equations, chemical bonds, molecules, and pH.
Differentiation
- This resource will likely be most useful for biology and chemistry students learning about pH, chemical reactions, and ocean acidification.
- Have science students consider the role of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions in ocean acidification and the ability of marine organisms to survive in the future.
- Have students consider the impacts of increasing ocean acidification on ecosystems and humans, as the oceans provide a significant amount of oxygen and food that people rely on and they regulate our climate.
- Use this video to learn more about the effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
MIT OpenCourseWare
MIT OpenCourseWare is a free and open collection of material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum. Since 2001, MIT OpenCourseWare has been creating new opportunities for millions of learners and educators, sharing Open Educational Resources (OER) from MIT and helping to lead a global revolution in free access to knowledge.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →




